“This Is Not A Jewish Problem, This is An American Problem,” Notes PJTN State Director Mike Goldstein

Columbus, Ohio – 10/5/17 A public rally held in front of the Ohio Holocaust memorial in Columbus was the centrepiece to draw attention to the latest state version of Proclaiming Justice to The Nation’s (PJTN) anti-BDS resolution education initiative originally passed in Tennessee in 2015.

Currently making its way through the Ohio State Legislature after being sponsored by Rep. Andrew Thompson (R-Marietta) and Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake), House Recurrent Resolution 10 (HCR10) marks a dozen resolutions of its kind to emerge at the state level with the latest introductions being Texas and Ohio. The Ohio resolution condemns the anti-Semitic BDS movement and its attempts to silence pro-Israel voices on campuses state-wide. It goes on to reiterate the United States and Israel’s shared values and relationship in the face of growing global anti-Semitism.

The Columbus event was attended by Jewish and Christian faith leaders and local legislators, including co-sponsor Andrew Thompson (R-Marietta) who told the crowd: “Let’s not kid our self, the BDS movement is about wiping Israel off the map and if we don’t stand strongly and firmly against that, insist that our campuses defend the rights of Jewish students and allies of Israel, we could face much darker outcomes.”

Michael Goldstein, Ohio director of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations, compared Nazi Germany's propaganda on Jews to "BDS propaganda" on college campuses, noting:

“On campus, what the BDS organizations are doing, is that they carry out an array of intolerant activities to silence Jewish and pro-Israel voices, many of them Christian, most frequently through shutting down or disruption of pro-Israel events, but also through the vilification and intimidation of pro-Israel groups and individuals, with the clear intention of delegitimizing their perspective, their point of view, or causing them to be too afraid or uncomfortable to express it. This is not just a Jewish problem; it is an American problem, relating to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”

Laurie Cardoza-Moore, President of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations, underscored Goldstein’s sentiments and commended Ohio on becoming the latest state to introduce the anti-BDS legislation: “Ohio must be congratulated for standing in defense of Israel and the Jewish people and against attempts made by the anti-Semitic BDS movement to silence their voice on U.S university campuses. Jewish and Christian Zionists must not bow to efforts that violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act that silences their voice and their opinion because of intimidation and threats of violence.” She added: “The anti-BDS resolutions are increasingly gaining acceptance and support across the United States because hatred does not belong on our campuses and every student deserves to be educated and thrive on American campuses without fear or intimidation.”

Proclaiming Justice to The Nations (PJTN), a 501c3 non-profit organization, was established to educate Christians about their Biblical responsibility to stand with their Jewish brethren and Israel, utilizing powerful film and video presentations, a variety of grassroots rallies, events and speaking engagements to facilitate dialogue between the Christian and Jewish communities in support of the State of Israel and against global anti-Semitism. PJTN was instrumental in encouraging anti-BDS legislation in Tennessee, which has now been adopted by 10 States across America. They also produced the award-wining documentary film Boycott THIS! which exposes the lies behind the anti-Semitic BDS movement.

Proclaiming Justice to The Nations

At PJTN, our members are the strengthening foundation and empowering, sustaining force of all that we do. Please consider joining us in our efforts to raise awareness, stand against Anti-Semitism in all forms and thereby strengthen advocacy for our Jewish brothers and sisters, and the beloved nation of Israel.